Tinubu denies playing any role in the Lekki Massacre saying he has no stake in tollgate

FORMER Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has denied any involvement in yesterday's Lekki Toll Gate massacre saying he would never be part of such violence.

Last night, the men of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army opened fire on unarmed protesters at the toll gate, in what is being referred to as Nigeria's Sharpeville Massacre. Over the last fortnight, the young and peaceful protesters had been demonstrating against police brutality and had been calling for the dissolution of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (Sars) police unit.

Yesterday morning, however, the nationwide protests descended into violence as government-sponsored thugs attacked protesters. In response, hoodlums attacked police stations and officers of the force, sending the whole nation up in flames, to which Governor Sanwoolu responded with a curfew due to start at 4pm.

As dusk approached, workers at the toll gate began removing the CCTV cameras at the facility, so what was being planned would not be recorded. Then, under the cover of darkness, the Nigerian Army attacked shooting at unarmed civilians, killing dozens and injuring scores.

Asiwaju Tinubu has been fingered as the mastermind behind the plot, given that he is believed to have a stake in the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) which runs the toll gate. However, this morning, Asiwaju Tinubu has denied having any investment in the company, adding that he would never be part of any carnage.

“Why will they use live bullets? I will never, never be part of any carnage. I will never be part of that and also, I have no dime, no kobo investment in the tollgate.

"We are about 13 to 14 days into the protests now and before now, I was being accused and reported to the presidency that I was behind the protests. They said that I was a sponsor of the protests,” he added.

Eyewitnesses claimed seven persons, mostly youths, died in the attack while about 30 injured victims are currently receiving treatments at different hospitals in the Lekki area. Yesterday's attack by the Nigerian Army has been condemned locally and internationally.